Sat Mar 01 13:18:10 UTC 2025: **Europeans to Rally Support for Ukraine Amidst US Uncertainty**

LONDON — European leaders will convene in London on Sunday for an emergency summit aimed at solidifying support for Ukraine following a dramatic public clash between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump. The meeting, hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who will meet Zelenskyy on Saturday, comes after Friday’s contentious White House meeting which saw Trump accuse Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” and threaten to withdraw US support if a peace deal wasn’t reached.

The summit’s primary focus will be reinforcing the commitment to achieving a “just and enduring peace” in Ukraine. However, the increasingly uncertain nature of US support for Kyiv has cast a long shadow over the discussions. The possibility of reduced or completely withdrawn US military aid has prompted calls for increased European defence cooperation and even discussions about a potential independent European nuclear deterrent.

French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated a willingness to discuss a future European nuclear deterrent following a request from Friedrich Merz, the likely next German Chancellor. Merz, along with other European leaders, has stressed the urgent need for Europe to achieve greater defence independence from the US.

Al Jazeera’s Milena Veselinovic reports that the tense situation following the Trump-Zelenskyy confrontation has heightened the summit’s importance, with European leaders facing the prospect of having to defend Ukraine without significant US backing. Most European leaders have rallied behind Zelenskyy, with the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa assuring him of continued support. However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close Putin ally, publicly sided with Trump.

While the US President’s recent outreach to Vladimir Putin to broker a deal further fueled anxieties in Europe, the majority of European leaders remain firmly committed to supporting Ukraine and condemning Russia’s aggression. Prime Minister Starmer has pledged Britain’s “unwavering support,” echoing the sentiment expressed by many other European leaders. The summit’s outcome will be closely watched as it will offer a crucial indicator of Europe’s resolve and its ability to navigate the changing geopolitical landscape.

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